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Idiomatic Expression

This document lists 61 common English idioms along with their meanings, including "a hot potato" which refers to a controversial issue, "actions speak louder than words" meaning deeds are more important than words, and "don't put all your eggs in one basket" as a warning against relying on just one option or possibility.

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171 views

Idiomatic Expression

This document lists 61 common English idioms along with their meanings, including "a hot potato" which refers to a controversial issue, "actions speak louder than words" meaning deeds are more important than words, and "don't put all your eggs in one basket" as a warning against relying on just one option or possibility.

Uploaded by

Bulan Water District
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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IDIOMATIC

1. A hot potato - Speak of an issue (mostly current) which many people are talking about and which is usually disputed
2. A penny for your thoughtsEXPRESSION
- A way of asking what someone is thinking
3. Actions speak louder than words - People's intentions can be judged better by what they do than what they say.
4. Add insult to injury - To further a loss with mockery or indignity; to worsen an unfavorable situation.
5. At the drop of a hat - Meaning: without any hesitation; instantly.
6. Back to the drawing board- When an attempt fails and it's time to start all over.
7. Ball is in your court- It is up to you to make the next decision or step
8. Barking up the wrong tree - Looking in the wrong place. Accusing the wrong person
9. Be glad to see the back of - Be happy when a person leaves.
10. Beat around the bush - Avoiding the main topic. Not speaking directly about the issue.
11. Best of both worlds - Meaning: All the advantages.
12. Best thing since sliced bread - A good invention or innovation. A good idea or plan.
13. Bite off more than you can chew - To take on a task that is way to big.
14. Blessing in disguise - Something good that isn't recognized at first.
15. Burn the midnight oil - To work late into the night, alluding to the time before electric lighting.
16. Can't judge a book by its cover - Cannot judge something primarily on appearance.
17. Caught between two stools - When someone finds it difficult to choose between two alternatives.
18. Costs an arm and a leg - This idiom is used when something is very expensive.
19. Cross that bridge when you come to it- Deal with a problem if and when it becomes necessary, not before.
20. Cry over spilt milk - When you complain about a loss from the past.
21. Curiosity killed the cat -Being Inquisitive can lead you into an unpleasant situation.
22. Cut corners - When something is done badly to save money.
23. Cut the mustard [possibly derived from "cut the muster"] - To succeed; to come up to expectations; adequate
enough to compete or participate
24. Devil's Advocate - To present a counter argument
25. Don't count your chickens before the eggs have hatched- This idiom is used to express "Don't make plans for
something that might not happen".
26. Don't give up the day job -You are not very good at something. You could definitely not do it professionally.
27. Don't put all your eggs in one basket -Do not put all your resources in one possibility.
28. Drastic times call for drastic measures- When you are extremely desperate you need to take drastic actions.
29. Elvis has left the building - The show has come to an end. It's all over.
30. Every cloud has a silver lining - Be optimistic, even difficult times will lead to better days.
31. Feel a bit under the weather - Meaning: Feeling slightly ill.
32. Give the benefit of the doubt – Believe someone’s statement, without proof.
33. Hear it on the grapevine - This idiom means 'to hear rumors' about something or someone.
34. Hit the nail on the head - Do or say something exactly right
35. Hit the sack / sheets / hay - To go to bed.
36. In the heat of the moment - Overwhelmed by what is happening in the moment.
37. It takes two to tango - Actions or communications need more than one person
38. Jump on the bandwagon- Join a popular trend or activity.
39. Keep something at bay - Keep something away.
40. Kill two birds with one stone - to accomplish two different things at the same time.
41. Last straw - The final problem in a series of problems.
42. Let sleeping dogs lie - do not disturb a situation as it is - since it would result in trouble or complications.
43. Let the cat out of the bag - To share information that was previously concealed
44. Make a long story short - Come to the point - leave out details
45. Method to my madness- An assertion that, despite one's approach seeming random, there actually is structure to it.
46. Miss the boat - used to say that someone missed his or her chance
47. Not a spark of decency - No manners
48. Not playing with a full deck - Someone who lacks intelligence.
49. Off one's rocker - Crazy, demented, out of one's mind, in a confused or befuddled state of mind, senile.
50. On the ball - When someone understands the situation well.
51. Once in a blue moon - Happens very rarely.
52. Picture paints a thousand words - A visual presentation is far more descriptive than words.
53. Piece of cake - A job, task or other activity that is easy or simple.
54. Put wool over other people's eyes - This means to deceive someone into thinking well of them.
55. See eye to eye - agree on something.
56. Sit on the fence - someone does not want to choose or make a decision.
57. Speak of the devil! - the person you have just been talking about arrives.
58. Steal someone's thunder - To take the credit for something someone else did.
59. Take with a grain of salt - This means not to take what someone says too seriously.
60. Taste of your own medicine - something happens to you, or is done to you, that you have done to someone else
61. Whole nine yards - Everything. All of it.

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